Dear Mr. Smuttynose and Finest Kind,

Beer Trader

The New England Gangsta at Earth Eagle is actually quite good, and their Shepherd's Crook wheat pale ale was awesome. Recently they brewed a pale ale with locally sourced hops and malt, and I didn't like that one as much as Shepherds Crook, but a fellow hophead liked it even more. You should check them out, they have been cranking out new quality offerings every week.

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Yeah, I should reserve judgement on Earth Eagle as I have only heard mixed reviews on NE Gangsta. But I just can't get over the fact that he's brewing primarily gruit styles, and then mixing in an IPA.

Beer Trader

Finest Kind is one of the top 3 east coast IPAs IMO. Fantastic, especially uber fresh.

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I wouldn't give it top 3 in New England, nevermind east coast. Lets eliminate Vt. And look at other east coast beers you still have Lunch, Flower power,meadowlark, gandhi bot, 5 c's ipa, wyerbacher, victory, troegs all make a beer ahead of finest kind.

No hate on Smuttynose their baltic and robust porters, smuttinator, fresh big a, imperial stout are all great beers.

Beer Trader

I wouldn't give it top 3 in New England, nevermind east coast. Lets eliminate Vt. And look at other east coast beers you still have Lunch, Flower power,meadowlark, gandhi bot, 5 c's ipa, wyerbacher, victory, troegs all make a beer ahead of finest kind.

No hate on Smuttynose their baltic and robust porters, smuttinator, fresh big a, imperial stout are all great beers.

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Flower Power i'll give you, but it should be readily avail. which means 5 C's is out and Meadowlark too.As for Wyerbacher, Victory and Troegs, they cant hold a candle to Smutty IPA, IMO...CHEERS
Do love that you like the big beer series by Smuttynose

Beer Trader

Your ipa is absolutely wonderful. You may be the best budget ipa that I have been introduced to in the last 2 weeks. Your complex and not one dimensional. You have layers of different hop flavors and malt that make you an enjoyable drinking experience. I love all kinds of ipa's from heavy citrus to heavy pine but you my friend have depth of all and a unique malt profile I have not had in a long time. I can see why the Bro's have rated you a 100. What a wonderful day where I can drink you and your crazy off cousin Mr. Zombie Dust in the same day.

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Let me tell you about an IPA called White Rajah for $10 a six, after you have it we can talk again about SN Finest Kind.....

Beer Trader

I wouldn't give it top 3 in New England, nevermind east coast. Lets eliminate Vt. And look at other east coast beers you still have Lunch, Flower power,meadowlark, gandhi bot, 5 c's ipa, wyerbacher, victory, troegs all make a beer ahead of finest kind.

No hate on Smuttynose their baltic and robust porters, smuttinator, fresh big a, imperial stout are all great beers.

Beer Trader

FinestKind will always be a top IPA to me. I haven't had any problems with infection or inconsistency the many times I have had this beer. IMO it's just a great example of and East Coast IPA: Earthy, herbal, bitter and a nice amount of malt to round it out; it's not a citrus fruity IPA which I think a lot of people have an issue with.

Beer Trader

Your ipa is absolutely wonderful. You may be the best budget ipa that I have been introduced to in the last 2 weeks. Your complex and not one dimensional. You have layers of different hop flavors and malt that make you an enjoyable drinking experience. I love all kinds of ipa's from heavy citrus to heavy pine but you my friend have depth of all and a unique malt profile I have not had in a long time. I can see why the Bro's have rated you a 100. What a wonderful day where I can drink you and your crazy off cousin Mr. Zombie Dust in the same day.

Probably the funniest post I've ever read on here. I've yet to have Earth Eagle, but I know that the brewer isn't a hophead, so I can't imagine his IPA is all that good. And Throwback's IPA is an embarrassing malt bomb of an amber ale masquerading as an IPA, and much more expensive than Smuttynose.

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Earth Eagle is making some nice IPA's. You need to check them out. In fact, they are making nice examples of all sorts of experimental ales and gruits. Throwback has an embarrassment of an IPA, no question. You really can't beat $10 12 packs of finestkind at Market Basket though.

Beer Trader

I wouldn't give it top 3 in New England, nevermind east coast. Lets eliminate Vt. And look at other east coast beers you still have Lunch, Flower power,meadowlark, gandhi bot, 5 c's ipa, wyerbacher, victory, troegs all make a beer ahead of finest kind.

No hate on Smuttynose their baltic and robust porters, smuttinator, fresh big a, imperial stout are all great beers.

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No DIPAs, just regular IPAs. Gandhi Bot is a DIPA. I'll give you Flower Power and that's probably it. Lunch? No. Good IPA, not better than fresh FK. 5c, Meadowlark? Never heard of them. Weyerbacher? Not even close with Last Chance IPA, Troegs no. I love Perpetual, but it's not as good as FK.

I love me some Finest Kind, with that said it is the same price as Two Hearted in my area and I just happen to love me some Two Hearted a lot more, so I do not pick it up as often as I should, maybe I will go grab a sixer today!

Earth Eagle Brewery is making the best IPAs in NH. Nice isn't giving enough credit to the craftsmanship. Everyone talks about Hillstead beers but why drive so long just to get beer that is equal to what I can get down the road?

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That is truly high praise and I would respectfully disagree. If travel time has got you down, try Blue Lobster. Their Gold Claw smells very similar to a Hill Farmstead. While not a true IPA, I would guess they share a very similar technique between the two. Their wheat IPA is also fantastic.

Beer Trader

That is truly high praise and I would respectfully disagree. If travel time has got you down, try Blue Lobster. Their Gold Claw smells very similar to a Hill Farmstead. While not a true IPA, I would guess they share a very similar technique between the two. Their wheat IPA is also fantastic.

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Isn't the head brewer at Blue Lobster a former Hill Farmstead brewer? Would make sense that they share some similarities.

Probably the funniest post I've ever read on here. I've yet to have Earth Eagle, but I know that the brewer isn't a hophead, so I can't imagine his IPA is all that good. And Throwback's IPA is an embarrassing malt bomb of an amber ale masquerading as an IPA, and much more expensive than Smuttynose.

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Don't knock New England Gangsta' till you try it. Earth Eagle, while they are concentrating on the gruits, is also making a mighty fine IPA IMHO.

Beer Trader

This is a great IPA in every category other than appearance (just SO much sediment). It has lingering bitterness and flavor that too many of these newer fruity IPAs lack IMO.

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Agreed. Love Hill Farmstead IPAs, but after drinking Susan (which everyone loves), I just kept thinking that I would love the beer if it actually had some bitterness or finish. Just too fruity and delicate.